LFD in need of donations for Toy Drive

Lexington, Ky. (WTVQ) — The Lexington Fraternal Order of Firefighters is hosting it’s 93rd Annual Toy Drive this year. But after losing a major donation the department is asking local businesses for their help in raising money.

Amazon usually donates $20,000 to the Lexington FOF, so they can buy the toys they need.

This year, they will not be receiving that donation.

“They have donation programs in the past, that’s where they would donate to our auction,” said Lieutenant Chris MacFarlane. “Our auction is our big fundraiser for our program. The items we got from amazon in the auction helped to make sure that we had plenty of money and plenty of toys. They have changed to another donation program and that program you have to submit a request to them and we weren’t able to get all that in time.”

That’s why FOF is looking for local businesses, such as restaurants, hotels and furniture places, to donate to their auction.

“That way we can turn around, have a big auction here and raise enough money to buy the toys that we’re going to be short on this year.”

And with how many families, the FOF helps with the toy drive, they want to make sure they have enough toys.

“We have hundreds, close to a thousand families that will come to us,” said Macfarlane. “With thousands of children that are in need and we collect toys.”

“We have over 600 firefighters here in Lexington and we’re all working hard to collect these toys at our 24 fire stations. Then the families sign up here and they’ll come pick them up. It’s kind of like a toy store atmosphere where they get to pick out the toys they think their kids would like.”

For those who may not be able to go pick up a new toy and drop it off at a fire station, but still want to help, the FOF has got you covered.

“We do have an amazon wish list where people can scan that from our Facebook page, or our website, and they can order a toy from the comfort of their chair or their couch. They can send it straight here to the north pole which is a nice alternative if you don’t want to get out and shop. The nice thing about our program is that you can go buy a toy, go drop it off at a fire station, those guys will get it here to us and we’ll get into the hands of a kid in time for Christmas.”

Toy give away day is Saturday, December 16th.